Sunny Saturday

After the early evening sail across the channel to the Town of Cobh...the voyage lasted only 10 minutes, it was the de-camping and re-pitching of the Celebrity gangways, security check points, mooring ropes, and all that made it a two hour process, we settled that an early Saturday morning visit to Cobh would be just fine....however, there were a fair number of Irish Pubs to be had in this little village.  As this is an overnight, the crew was jonesing for a pint or two after very few days/hours off.  Funny, we have seen more of the staff and crew doing the mating dance this trip than we normally do.  Again, Gilligan and Gilligan, Captain (or fill in staff rank of your choice) and Mary Ann, MaryAnn and Mary Ann...there are no Thurstons,Loveys or Ginger among the staff and crew as the work has long hours, interesting living conditions, with limited contact from home...high maintenance folks need not apply.  We continue to marvel at the energy and grace that it takes to put up with the cruisers and their requests/demands...yeah, we looking at you Admiral.

Saturday found the air cold and crisp, but finally a blue sky without clouds.  This port is very easily walkable, with all the major things to see and do within a 3 mile round trip loop on foot.  By 9:00 I was laced and ready to roll.  From our window I could see the Cathedral (St. Coleman’s) high on the hill as most are with the dock areas, shops and homes flanking the streets below.  The Heritage Center is directly in front of the ship, along with the Train station should you wish to return to Cork.  The Heritage Center tells of the town history-the Lusitania sinking, Titanic, as this was its last stop before heading across the Atlantic, the immigrants that departed from here and arrived at Ellis Island and other US ports of entry.  The town has a Titanic museum which was created from the original White Star Cruise line terminal, the original Cunard ship terminal (now an escape room adventure-want to bet it is a ship sinking theme?), lots of shops and a good number of pubs.  Despite all the quaint and charm, Eddie voted to stay aboard....as the remedies from the last few green cross visits have not worked magic on the cough and sleep issues.  

I struck out on my own, climbing the hill with considerable ease...perhaps an optical illusion as the other folks were part of the 40% with mobility issues.  I felt positively empowered....St Coleman’s was everything you want in an Irish Catholic Church.  It was a lovely centuries old church with Flying Buttresses, Rose And stained glass windows, a golden altar area, massive pipe organ and alive with more than a dozen girls and boys making their first communion.  Girls in white princess dresses, white patent leather shoes, tiaras and boys in coats and ties, slicked up hair and a ton of parents, Grandparents and assorted relatives dressed for the occasion to look on.  So, an old church alive with the faith and hope for the future...without Eddie I could sit in a back pew (so Episcopal of me) and watch.

From church I made my way back down by discovering short cuts and stairs walks that probably have been around for centuries.  Without Eddie I skipped the pub crawl and opted for shops and the Heritage Center. The Center has the history but also two souvenir shops.  On the right are the hand woolen items, blankets, Irish crystal, and local (read expensive) artisan works...with  a flat rate of 29 Euro shipping to anywhere.  The Crowds were small, lines even less....to the left was Irish Buckees-shamrock, leprechaun, lambies, linen, Guinness, t-shirts, keychains, magnets, all things green and white proudly labeled From Ireland/made in China/India/Vietnam, etc.  and just like Buckees-long lines to the cash register and shoulder to shoulder folks from the ship with  lots of stuff for the friends back home.  Can you say Irish Luck?